Abstract

We present and characterize an experimental system in which we achieve the integration of an ultrahigh finesse optical cavity with a Bose-Einstein condensate(BEC). The conceptually novel design of the apparatus for the production of BECs features nested vacuum chambers and an in vacuo magnetic transport configuration. It grants large scale spatial access to the BEC for samples and probes via a modular and exchangeable “science platform.” We are able to produce condensates of atoms and to output couple continuous atom lasers. The cavity is mounted on the science platform on top of a vibration isolation system. The optical cavity works in the strong coupling regime of cavity quantum electrodynamics and serves as a quantum optical detector for single atoms. This system enables us to study atom optics on a single particle level and to further develop the field of quantum atom optics. We describe the technological modules and the operation of the combined BECcavity apparatus. Its performance is characterized by single atom detection measurements for thermal and quantum degenerate atomic beams. The atom laser provides a fast and controllable supply of atoms coupling with the cavity mode and allows for an efficient study of atom field interactions in the strong coupling regime. Moreover, the high detection efficiency for quantum degenerate atoms distinguishes the cavity as a sensitive and weakly invasive probe for cold atomic clouds.

Received 09 March 2006Accepted 31 May 2006Published online 30 June 2006

Acknowledgments:

The authors would like to thank Jean-Pierre Stucki, the mechanical workshop of the ETH Physics Department, Thilo Stöferle and Alexander C. Frank for aid in the construction and commissioning of the apparatus, and Thomas Bourdel and Tobias Donner for experimental assistance and valuable discussions. They acknowledge funding by SEP Information Sciences, OLAQUI (EU FP6-511057), Qudedis (ESF), and QSIT. Mention of industrial brand names is for technical communication only and does not constitute an endorsement of such products.